William Owen Hines, first among seven suspects in the brutal 2023 Halloween party beating that claimed the life of Preston Lord, will appear in court for sentencing today. FOX 10 Phoenix reports that prosecutors are calling for the maximum penalty within the terms of the plea agreement — a sentence of 21 years in prison. The state's harsh recommendation follows a documented history of Hines' violent behavior and disregard for law, including a path of destruction that predates the manslaughter charge.
By the age of 19, Hines had amassed a significant criminal record. His transgressions, as stated by FOX 10, began with shoplifting and escalated through aggravated assault to reckless drunk driving. Perhaps the most troubling were the events of November and December 2022 when Hines was involved in two separate incidents involving brass knuckle assaults. In one instance, as reported by FOX 10, he punched a victim pinned to a car nine times. Then, in the summer of 2023, he was behind the wheel drunk, causing a crash that left another driver severely injured — an event which seemed to foreshadow the fatal attack on Lord.
According to details released by FOX 10, on March 4, Hines presented himself as remorseful, stating, "I do pray for forgiveness and one day I can make things right, but until then I will continue to make the world a better place." However, his ongoing behavior, as gleaned from jailhouse phone calls and documented contraband activities, undermines his claims of self-reform.
While Hines' defense may paint a narrative of a troubled man seeking a better path, the prosecution has cast him in a stark, punitive light. Documents obtained from the court include photographs of Hines allegedly drinking and holding a weapon shortly after the attack on Lord, supporting the state's claim that he poses a risk to the community. "For Preston, there will be no chance to go to college, enjoy existing friendships and build new ones, find a pursuit or career, marry or raise a family," states the memorandum referenced by ABC15. In contrast, Hines, if given the maximum term, will still have life ahead of him once served.
Others involved in the case are moving through the judicial process. Taylor Sherman and Jacob Meisner are scheduled for settlement conferences at the end of May, with a trial on the books for July. As for Hines, his attorney Rachel Golubovich told ABC15, "We’re going to speak a lot at sentencing, and we’re looking forward to sharing William’s story at that time."
